Main Cast: Jeff Goldblum, Matt Craven, Dov Davidoff, Linda Park, Madeleine Stowe
Release Year: 2007
Country: US
Run Time: 60 minutes
Plot
The NBC cop drama Raines starred Jeff Goldblum as the title character, eccentric LAPD homicide detective Michael Raines. Haunted by the death of his former partner Charlie Lincoln (Malik Yoba, Raines found himself in frequent contact and conversation with Raines' ghost (or so he thought). These spectral visitations segued neatly into Raines' peculiar talent: the ability to "talk" to the spirits of the victims whose murders he was investigating. The detective's visions of these victims were determined by the amount of information he had on hand; thus, the ghosts were constantly "morphing" before his eyes as he uncovered additional clues. For example, upon learning that a recent victim was a prostitute, Raines began envisioning the dead woman--whom had previously appeared before him in the form of a virginal girl-next-door--with more garish makeup and an expanded bustline! Although Raines' modus operandi was, to say the least, unorthodox, he invariably got results, and the ghosts that haunted him invariably vanished (and stopped annoying him) once the case was solved. Featured in the cast was Matt Craven as Raines' exasperated superior Capt. Daniel Lewis, Linda Park as Raines' overworked new partner Michelle Lance, Dov Davidoff as antagonistic collegue Remi Boyer, Nicole Sullivan as sarcastic-but-supportive civilian coworker Carolyn Crumley, and Madeleine Stowe as Raines' sympathetic-but- skeptical psychiatrist Dr. Samantha Kohl. Conceived in the tradition of such earlier quirky "procedurals" as Cold Case and Monk, Raines debuted March 15, 2007. ~ Hal Erickson, All Movie Guide
Raines is a crime drama television series that ran from March 15, 2007 to April 27, 2007 on NBC in the United States. The show premiered as a mid-season replacement, as well as airing on CH in Canada, TV3 in Ireland, ITV3 in the UK and on Network Ten in Australia.[1]
The series focused on Michael Raines (Jeff Goldblum), a 'mentally-haunted' LAPD detective, who interacts with imaginary manifestations of dead crime victims in order to solve criminal cases. Raines must deal with his unique, unintentional method, as it causes problems with his co-workers and in his personal life.[2]
The first two episodes aired on Thursday nights (March 15 and March 22) at 10:00 PM Eastern Time during the time slot normally occupied by ER. The third episode aired eight days later, taking up its regular Friday at 9:00 PM time slot.
On May 14, 2007, NBC announced its schedule for the 2007-2008 television season. Raines was left off this list, and was officially cancelled.[3]
Mykelti Williamson appeared in a cameo role, in the pilot episode, as Detective Bobby 'Fearless' Smith, a role he originated on the 2002-03 NBC-TV series Boomtown, also conceived by Raines creator Graham Yost, and set in Los Angeles.
Luis Guzmán was originally cast in the role of Charlie Lincoln, but after the pilot was shot, he was replaced by Malik Yoba. NBC then asked that the producers re-shoot the scenes in which he appeared.
Episodes
#
Title
Airdate
Code
1
"Pilot"
March 15, 2007 (2007-03-15)
101
When a young woman is found murdered, Detective Raines is called to find out who killed her. During his investigation, an uninvited guest returns from the grave to help Raines solve her murder.
2
"Meet Juan Doe"
March 22, 2007 (2007-03-22)
103
When Raines investigates the murder of an illegal immigrant, he discovers a connection to a Los Angeles councilman. Meanwhile, Lewis refers Raines to a psychiatrist after he notices Raines acting strangely.
3
"Reconstructing Alice"
March 30, 2007 (2007-03-30)
107
When Raines looks into the murder of a homeless woman found in an alley, his investigation soon leads to something much more complicated than he initially suspects.
4
"Stone Dead"
April 6, 2007 (2007-04-06)
106
A 20-year-old drug dealer, who was trying to reform and become a comic book artist, is found dead. Raines expresses his concerns about Charlie's son to Dr. Kohl, who urges Raines to bring him to her so she may help him.
5
"5th Step"
April 13, 2007 (2007-04-13)
105
The body of the wife of an old friend of Raines is discovered with an Aryan Nation insignia inscribed on her chest. While searching for evidence, Raines soon discovers some disturbing lies and misguided good intentions surrounding the victim's past.
6
"Inner Child"
April 20, 2007 (2007-04-20)
104
A disturbing murder and sexual assault case involving a child threatens to derail Raines' progress in eradicating his hallucinations.
7
"Closure"
April 27, 2007 (2007-04-27)
102
When a small plane crashes into the Pacific, Raines is asked to investigate by his ex-wife, who is convinced that the victims, including her new husband, were murdered.
A script entitled "Every Picture Tells a Story" was written but not filmed; this would have been episode production number 108.
U.S. television ratings
Weekly rankings based on Fast National ratings.[4][5][6]
#
Episode
Air Date
Timeslot (ET)
Season
Rating
Share
18–49
Viewers
Rank
1
"Pilot"
March 15, 2007
Thursday 10:00 PM
2006–2007
6.7
12
2.9
10.46
# 23
2
"Meet Juan Doe"
March 22, 2007
Thursday 10:00 PM
2006–2007
5.9
10
2.5
8.71
# 33
3
"Reconstructing Alice"
March 30, 2007
Friday 9:00 PM
2006–2007
4.8
9
1.9
6.97
# 50
4
"Stone Dead"
April 6, 2007
Friday 9:00 PM
2006–2007
4.4
8
1.7
6.67
# 53
5
"5th Step"
April 13, 2007
Friday 9:00 PM
2006-2007
4.1
7
1.5
6.45
# 59
6
"Inner Child"
April 20, 2007
Friday 9:00 PM
2006-2007
3.9
7
1.3
5.87
# 63
7
"Closure"
April 27, 2007
Friday 9:00 PM
2006-2007
3.8
7
1.4
5.59
# 61
For the season, the show came in #83, with 6.7 million viewers.
